Hello! My name is India Hodo and I am a sophomore Intended Entertainment and Media Studies Major. I also have a Film minor. I am a big fan of the Marvel cinematic universe and I love to make and craft things with my hands.
1. Week of Aug 21 New York City Museum Boards Lack Diversity
This weeks article is about how those in power of controlling what art is exhibited and shown to a wide audience is almost all white. This article is specific to NYC, however if in a big diverse city like New York doesn't have diversity then it doesn't bode well for smaller cities. I chose this article because I think it reflects the power dynamics that strangle young, independents, POC artists. It has become increasing hard to see work recognized by minority groups in a professional manner which, as the article shows, is due to the lack of diversity in those who pick what is "good". I think this relates to the class because I am sure it is the same in many playhouses, that those who control what plays are show, are majority white. 2. Week of Aug 28 Police Officer, "We Only Kill Black People"
This weeks article hits close to home as the people officer who made this comment, which he says was meant to be a joke, is an officer of the county in my family and I live in. This kind of blatant negligence of the fears of the community is the exact thing that builds tension with in the community, making people feel uncomfortable in their own homes and neighborhoods. I hope this officer is though reprimanded in his job and publicly shamed within the community so that other officer know that this kind of behavior is not tolerable. 3. Week of Sept 4 A Dream Deferred, DACA is Dead
This weeks article is a major news story that swept the nation about the repeal of Obama era sanctions that protected undocumented people who came into this country as children and gave them the right to work. This repeal costs the US billions in worker productivity and puts undue stress and hardship on people who have already struggled their whole lives before this sanction. This is disconcerting to me because I am only a third generation immigrant to this country so this could have easily been me or me mother. I can only hope that this does not further the harsh and at times violent culture there already is toward immigrants. 4. Week of Sept 11 No Justice for Freddie Gray, Officers Will Face No Charges
This weeks article is concerning the charges, or lack thereof, brought up against the 6 Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. The news of Freddie Gray's death is not new and has long been on the tongues of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, in this article it explains how the officers involved in this untimely death will not be charged on federal level, as charges have already been dismissed on a state level. How can one expect a fair and impartial jury when the Justice Department itself said "We've got the backs of the police". The executive side of the federal government is no better with the pardoning of Joe Arpaio, who was convicted for the illegal discrimination of Latinos in the Arizona county. Introduced to Congress a bill that would further criminalize the existence of undocumented immigrants and make it easier for the to be deported. Who the are we as a nation of minorities to look to "protect and serve" us. 5. Week of Sept 18 "U Bum", LeBron James after Trump attacks Steph Curry on Twitter
This weeks article focuses on NFL and NBA athletes who came out in support of NBA championship winner Steph Curry declined to take the congratulatory trip to the White House. Trump rebuked Curry on Twitter by saying his invitation was "withdrawn". This base comment is part of a larger series of attack on professional athletes who use their sport as a platform for their political view. The most common form of this is kneeling while the American anthem is playing, like NFL player Colin Kaepernick, or declining the White House trip after a championship win. This news comes at a time when Puerto Rico is utterly devastated by the recent hurricanes, with 3 towns having to evacuate, yet the Commander-in-Chief finds it more useful to spend his time writing disparaging comments online than to take care of our people. 6. Week of Sept 25 Hugh Hefner Was My Enemy
This week hidden under news about the NFL and puerto Rico was the death of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner at age 91. His influence on print media and on the US society is undeniable, but he is not the feminist that some champion him to be. This article discusses how Hefner routinely
commodified and objectified women for profit and pleasure, all to build his Playboy empire. Walking to class the morning when the news broke, I saw a student dressed in the notorious robe and sailor hat that defined Hefner's style. I thought to myself, how can someone glorify this man to the pint of dressing like him despite all of the terrible things he has done to women. That is why I choose this article over some of the more major events. Because this, needs to be critically analyzed so that we don't have student promoting a culture of sexism and objectification towards women on campus. 7. Week of Oct 2 Trump Rolls Back Birth Control
The Trump administration is rolling back Obama-era policies and opening the door for religious groups to discriminate in areas like foster care, or employment. This roll back on is an attack on women's rights across the country, making harder for women to access birth control. I ashamed of our congress and our executive branch, but not surprised. When government social services and protections are cut, it almost always harms the minority groups of this country and this is no expectation. This "religious freedom" can and will negatively impact people of the LGBT community, minority race groups, and women group throughout the country and anyone who doesn't see that is very naive and shortsighted in their thinking. 8. Week of Oct 9 Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein. A sexual predator. A man who opened the floodgate of women to speak up about sexual abuse in the media industry and across all industries. The spur of the #MeToo tag brought up conversations that were long overdue. This mans action we inexcusable, yet for decades he got away with it. Only recently was he fired from his position and forced out of his own company. This goes to show how complacent the media industry, all industries, are when taking complaints and accusations of harassment seriously. I chose this article because for too long men have dominated positions of power, silencing those whose voices were not backed by corporate money or fame. This story is in direct relation to this class because it shows what happens when there is no diversity in positions of power in this country, the powerful get more powerful. 9. Week of Oct 16 Trump Says No Kneeling
Trump criticizes the NFL for continuing to allow it players to kneel during the national anthem. For the past year or so, Colin Kaepernick has been, kneeling or sitting in protest of police violence. I chose this article because it relate to the way that the non-diverse people in power try to suppress the civil rights to free speech and access to representation of minority groups. This relates to the class because themes of power and race and police violence were in direct relation to one of the plays we read. This play takes a different approach to examine the issue, but the overlap in current events is undeniable. 10. Week of Oct 30 Roommate Hate Crime
This weeks article disgusts me. However, that is why I feel it is important to write about. The story is that one white freshman, Brianna Brochu, at the university of Hartford, had been terrorizing her black roommate go so far as spitting in her hair products, putting moldy food in her lotion, and rubbing used tampons on her things. Once, the roommate moved out, Brochu admitted this on an instagram post, saying "I finally got rid of the Jamaican Barbie". She is now being charged with a hate crime against the roommate and rightfully so. I feel as this has to do with this class because it deals with issues of diversity on the college level. Student of color at majority white schools such as Hartford, or UGA, can feel as though their place is tenative and subject to change and one disgusting person will. This is why I feel this story is important and I hope it gains traction, to expose those who would do something like this. 11. Week of Nov 6 Terror in Manhattan
This weeks article has to do with the terrorist attack in lower Manhattan, New York. A muslim extremist drove a truck into a crowd killing 8 people and injuring more. The details of the event are gruesome. However, I chose this article because it represents the kinds of representation that Muslims get in the media. Negative. Muslims in America, since 9-11 have been almost assuredly been painted as terrorist in media anytime they are represented. This is not to say don't write about evil people who murder, but that is not Muslims. It is the extremists. And I chose this article to highlight the lack of any other representations of peaceful, intelligent, or human portrayals of Muslims. It relates to the class in that on play deals with these issues directly. 12. Week of Nov 13 Terror in Vegas
This weeks article is about the mass shooting of the country music festival in Las Vegas. The shooter a white male killed 58 people and injured over 400. I chose this article after last weeks, to highlight the way in which white people who commit mass violence are portrayed in the media versus non-whites. Both people should be harshly condemned however, when a non-white person, commits mass violence, it is a reflection on their entire community, and for white people that is just not true. The action of one define how society views all for non white people. The wave of articles that speak about the Vegas gunman's "quiet" life and about how much he "loved country music". I can't say which way is right, humanizing media coverage or damning, but it should be equal and the actions of one shouldn't define a broad strokes category of people as it does now. 13. Week of Nov 27 Net Neutrality
The end is here. The FCC plans a vote for Dec 14, which is expected to go 3-2 in favor of ending net neutrality regulations. Currently, the FCC protects consumers from ISPs, like Comcast, from charging high internet users more for the connection but with the roll back of net neutrality there is no promise for that to stay. Many speculate that, in order to secure premium connection speeds, content providers like Netflix will partner with ISPs like Comcast and nothing stops the ISPs from then lowering the speeds of their competition. This means bad news for smaller website and startups, who won't be able to make these deals, if they can get on the internet at all. This issue is so important to this class and to the USA because it limits the egalitarian marketplace of ideas that the internet is today and stifles those minority groups who don't have money or connection. 14. Week of Dec 4 "Pocahontas"
This weeks news is that at a ceremony honoring the contributions of the young Navajo who serve and create unbreakable code, Trump called US Senator Warren "Pocahontas". He was referring to how Warren came under fire in 2012 for claiming nonexistent Native American lineage during her academic years. While that in itself is condemnable, the way in which Trump used Pocahontas as a pejorative term, shows his insensitivity to Native people everywhere. I chose this piece because I feel as though it was overlooked somewhat, likely because Trumps insensitivity has become commonplace. And in a profession where diplomacy is key, I hardly find that comforting. I believe this relates to the class because yet again, it shows how people in power disregard minority groups in this country.
Assignments:
1.1 Trifles1.2 Feminist Theatre
1.3 Trifles Project Questions
2.1.1 Personal Summary of Ethnic Theatre in the USA
2.1.2 Diversity Page Discussion
2.1.3 Diversity in Wedding Band Discussion
2.2.1 Wedding Band Worksheet
2.3.1 Design in Wicked and The Lion King Discussion
2.3.2 Wedding Band Viewers Guide Discussion
3.1 Real Women Have Curves Worksheet
3.2 Real Women Discussion Page Response
3.2 Chicano and Hispanic Theatre Summary
4.1 Split Second Worksheet
4.2 Split Second Discussion
4.3 Casting and Set Design
5.1 Execution of Justice Worksheet
5.2 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Theatre Summary
5.3 Execution of Justice Discussion
6.1 Yellow Face Worksheet
6.2 Yellow Face Discussion
6.3 Yellow Face Video Design Discussion
7.1 Fires in the Mirror Worksheet
7.2 Character Design Fires in the Mirror
7.3 Fires in the Mirror Letter
7.4 Black Theatre Summary
8.1 Zoot Suit in Chicano Theatre History
8.2 Riots Discussion
8.3 Zoot Suit Worksheet
8.4 HS Creation Discussion
9.1 Queen's Garden Worksheet
9.2 Audio CD Review Queen's Garden
9.3 Preface
9.4 Staging Queen's Garden
9.5 Asian Theatre Summary
10.1 Disgraced Worksheet
10.2 Video Discussion
10.3 Group Study Guide Question
11.1 Rez Sisters Worksheet
11.2 Summary of Native American Theatre
11.3 Rez Sister Guest Lecture Questions
12.1 How I Learned To Drive Design
12.2 How I Learned to Drive Worksheet
13.1 The Normal Heart Worksheet
13.2 Gay Rights Study Guide
News:
1. Week of Aug 21New York City Museum Boards Lack Diversity
This weeks article is about how those in power of controlling what art is exhibited and shown to a wide audience is almost all white. This article is specific to NYC, however if in a big diverse city like New York doesn't have diversity then it doesn't bode well for smaller cities. I chose this article because I think it reflects the power dynamics that strangle young, independents, POC artists. It has become increasing hard to see work recognized by minority groups in a professional manner which, as the article shows, is due to the lack of diversity in those who pick what is "good". I think this relates to the class because I am sure it is the same in many playhouses, that those who control what plays are show, are majority white.
2. Week of Aug 28
Police Officer, "We Only Kill Black People"
This weeks article hits close to home as the people officer who made this comment, which he says was meant to be a joke, is an officer of the county in my family and I live in. This kind of blatant negligence of the fears of the community is the exact thing that builds tension with in the community, making people feel uncomfortable in their own homes and neighborhoods. I hope this officer is though reprimanded in his job and publicly shamed within the community so that other officer know that this kind of behavior is not tolerable.
3. Week of Sept 4
A Dream Deferred, DACA is Dead
This weeks article is a major news story that swept the nation about the repeal of Obama era sanctions that protected undocumented people who came into this country as children and gave them the right to work. This repeal costs the US billions in worker productivity and puts undue stress and hardship on people who have already struggled their whole lives before this sanction. This is disconcerting to me because I am only a third generation immigrant to this country so this could have easily been me or me mother. I can only hope that this does not further the harsh and at times violent culture there already is toward immigrants.
4. Week of Sept 11
No Justice for Freddie Gray, Officers Will Face No Charges
This weeks article is concerning the charges, or lack thereof, brought up against the 6 Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. The news of Freddie Gray's death is not new and has long been on the tongues of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, in this article it explains how the officers involved in this untimely death will not be charged on federal level, as charges have already been dismissed on a state level. How can one expect a fair and impartial jury when the Justice Department itself said "We've got the backs of the police". The executive side of the federal government is no better with the pardoning of Joe Arpaio, who was convicted for the illegal discrimination of Latinos in the Arizona county. Introduced to Congress a bill that would further criminalize the existence of undocumented immigrants and make it easier for the to be deported. Who the are we as a nation of minorities to look to "protect and serve" us.
5. Week of Sept 18
"U Bum", LeBron James after Trump attacks Steph Curry on Twitter
This weeks article focuses on NFL and NBA athletes who came out in support of NBA championship winner Steph Curry declined to take the congratulatory trip to the White House. Trump rebuked Curry on Twitter by saying his invitation was "withdrawn". This base comment is part of a larger series of attack on professional athletes who use their sport as a platform for their political view. The most common form of this is kneeling while the American anthem is playing, like NFL player Colin Kaepernick, or declining the White House trip after a championship win. This news comes at a time when Puerto Rico is utterly devastated by the recent hurricanes, with 3 towns having to evacuate, yet the Commander-in-Chief finds it more useful to spend his time writing disparaging comments online than to take care of our people.
6. Week of Sept 25
Hugh Hefner Was My Enemy
This week hidden under news about the NFL and puerto Rico was the death of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner at age 91. His influence on print media and on the US society is undeniable, but he is not the feminist that some champion him to be. This article discusses how Hefner routinely
commodified and objectified women for profit and pleasure, all to build his Playboy empire. Walking to class the morning when the news broke, I saw a student dressed in the notorious robe and sailor hat that defined Hefner's style. I thought to myself, how can someone glorify this man to the pint of dressing like him despite all of the terrible things he has done to women. That is why I choose this article over some of the more major events. Because this, needs to be critically analyzed so that we don't have student promoting a culture of sexism and objectification towards women on campus.
7. Week of Oct 2
Trump Rolls Back Birth Control
The Trump administration is rolling back Obama-era policies and opening the door for religious groups to discriminate in areas like foster care, or employment. This roll back on is an attack on women's rights across the country, making harder for women to access birth control. I ashamed of our congress and our executive branch, but not surprised. When government social services and protections are cut, it almost always harms the minority groups of this country and this is no expectation. This "religious freedom" can and will negatively impact people of the LGBT community, minority race groups, and women group throughout the country and anyone who doesn't see that is very naive and shortsighted in their thinking.
8. Week of Oct 9
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein. A sexual predator. A man who opened the floodgate of women to speak up about sexual abuse in the media industry and across all industries. The spur of the #MeToo tag brought up conversations that were long overdue. This mans action we inexcusable, yet for decades he got away with it. Only recently was he fired from his position and forced out of his own company. This goes to show how complacent the media industry, all industries, are when taking complaints and accusations of harassment seriously. I chose this article because for too long men have dominated positions of power, silencing those whose voices were not backed by corporate money or fame. This story is in direct relation to this class because it shows what happens when there is no diversity in positions of power in this country, the powerful get more powerful.
9. Week of Oct 16
Trump Says No Kneeling
Trump criticizes the NFL for continuing to allow it players to kneel during the national anthem. For the past year or so, Colin Kaepernick has been, kneeling or sitting in protest of police violence. I chose this article because it relate to the way that the non-diverse people in power try to suppress the civil rights to free speech and access to representation of minority groups. This relates to the class because themes of power and race and police violence were in direct relation to one of the plays we read. This play takes a different approach to examine the issue, but the overlap in current events is undeniable.
10. Week of Oct 30
Roommate Hate Crime
This weeks article disgusts me. However, that is why I feel it is important to write about. The story is that one white freshman, Brianna Brochu, at the university of Hartford, had been terrorizing her black roommate go so far as spitting in her hair products, putting moldy food in her lotion, and rubbing used tampons on her things. Once, the roommate moved out, Brochu admitted this on an instagram post, saying "I finally got rid of the Jamaican Barbie". She is now being charged with a hate crime against the roommate and rightfully so. I feel as this has to do with this class because it deals with issues of diversity on the college level. Student of color at majority white schools such as Hartford, or UGA, can feel as though their place is tenative and subject to change and one disgusting person will. This is why I feel this story is important and I hope it gains traction, to expose those who would do something like this.
11. Week of Nov 6
Terror in Manhattan
This weeks article has to do with the terrorist attack in lower Manhattan, New York. A muslim extremist drove a truck into a crowd killing 8 people and injuring more. The details of the event are gruesome. However, I chose this article because it represents the kinds of representation that Muslims get in the media. Negative. Muslims in America, since 9-11 have been almost assuredly been painted as terrorist in media anytime they are represented. This is not to say don't write about evil people who murder, but that is not Muslims. It is the extremists. And I chose this article to highlight the lack of any other representations of peaceful, intelligent, or human portrayals of Muslims. It relates to the class in that on play deals with these issues directly.
12. Week of Nov 13
Terror in Vegas
This weeks article is about the mass shooting of the country music festival in Las Vegas. The shooter a white male killed 58 people and injured over 400. I chose this article after last weeks, to highlight the way in which white people who commit mass violence are portrayed in the media versus non-whites. Both people should be harshly condemned however, when a non-white person, commits mass violence, it is a reflection on their entire community, and for white people that is just not true. The action of one define how society views all for non white people. The wave of articles that speak about the Vegas gunman's "quiet" life and about how much he "loved country music". I can't say which way is right, humanizing media coverage or damning, but it should be equal and the actions of one shouldn't define a broad strokes category of people as it does now.
13. Week of Nov 27
Net Neutrality
The end is here. The FCC plans a vote for Dec 14, which is expected to go 3-2 in favor of ending net neutrality regulations. Currently, the FCC protects consumers from ISPs, like Comcast, from charging high internet users more for the connection but with the roll back of net neutrality there is no promise for that to stay. Many speculate that, in order to secure premium connection speeds, content providers like Netflix will partner with ISPs like Comcast and nothing stops the ISPs from then lowering the speeds of their competition. This means bad news for smaller website and startups, who won't be able to make these deals, if they can get on the internet at all. This issue is so important to this class and to the USA because it limits the egalitarian marketplace of ideas that the internet is today and stifles those minority groups who don't have money or connection.
14. Week of Dec 4
"Pocahontas"
This weeks news is that at a ceremony honoring the contributions of the young Navajo who serve and create unbreakable code, Trump called US Senator Warren "Pocahontas". He was referring to how Warren came under fire in 2012 for claiming nonexistent Native American lineage during her academic years. While that in itself is condemnable, the way in which Trump used Pocahontas as a pejorative term, shows his insensitivity to Native people everywhere. I chose this piece because I feel as though it was overlooked somewhat, likely because Trumps insensitivity has become commonplace. And in a profession where diplomacy is key, I hardly find that comforting. I believe this relates to the class because yet again, it shows how people in power disregard minority groups in this country.